On the dependence of equivalent dose on temperature of OSL measurements for sediment quartz grains and its implication in dating practice

The dependence of the equivalent dose (De) on the temperature used at stimulation when the standard OSL dating protocol (SAR) is applied has been investigated for sediment quartz samples. A considerable change in this value appears in the temperature region from 80 to 140 °C that is known for high complexity in OSL processes in quartz. Our observations suggest that the variation in the obtained results at least partly is caused by the laboratory procedure used when the natural OSL signal is measured. Directions for further investigations concerning this undesirable effect are indicated. -- Highlights: ► Temperature dependence of OSL measurement results in dating protocol for quartz was investigated. ► Intensive variations of this value appear in the temperature region that is normally used in dating. ► First results suggest that the reason of these changes lies in the way of natural OSL measurement